For Faye White, the decision to leave her 17-year teaching career and pursue childminding wasn't easy, but it was one she felt deeply called to make. While she loved her time in the classroom, Faye was drawn to the freedom that childminding offers—a chance to create an environment that is truly tailored to the needs and interests of the children in her care, without the constraints of meeting unrealistic targets or following rigid timetables.
Faye's transition to childminding was made easier by the support she found through tiney. "It felt daunting to leave teaching after so many years, but the support and knowledge that tiney offers has been absolutely amazing and reassuring," Faye shared.
Sweet Peas and Poppets: A space for independence and exploration
Faye’s childminding setting, Sweet Peas and Poppets, is designed to empower children to take ownership of their environment and learning experiences. Every detail is thoughtfully arranged to foster independence—from children selecting their own peg for the day to making their own playdough with step-by-step instructions created using photos of themselves.
“I want children in my care to have ownership of our environment and routines,” says Faye. Each child has a dedicated space on the wall where their family photo and handprint are displayed, creating a sense of belonging. In the reading area, a scrapbook captures memories of their activities, allowing children to look back, reflect, and connect their experiences with what they are learning.
Faye believes in giving children the freedom to choose, whether it's deciding which park to visit, what books to read, or where to go on the next outing. She emphasizes the importance of children exploring new ideas and expanding their comfort zones through hands-on, scaffolded activities based on their interests.
A passion for nature and outdoor play
A key feature of Faye's childminding practice is her deep passion for nature and outdoor learning. At Sweet Peas and Poppets, children spend time outdoors every day, rain or shine. They explore the natural world through activities like bark rubbings, minibeast hunts, creating art with natural materials, or even building bird feeders and planting seeds.
“I want every child to appreciate the natural world and understand how it can be calming and relaxing,” Faye explains. Her garden includes a wild area where plants are allowed to flourish, providing a home for birds and hedgehogs. There is also a fruit and vegetable patch, teaching children about the cycle of growing food and connecting them to the earth.
Messy play and cooking: Building essential skills
Faye also incorporates messy play into each day, recognizing its many developmental benefits. Whether it's experimenting with gloop, shaving foam, paint, or mud, children at Sweet Peas and Poppets engage in activities that foster fine and gross motor skills, vocabulary development, problem-solving abilities, and social-emotional growth.
Cooking is another regular activity in Faye’s setting, where children learn about different foods, how ingredients change when mixed or heated, and the importance of a balanced diet. Through these hands-on experiences, children begin to develop a deeper understanding of the world around them while building life skills.
Partnering with parents for success
Faye firmly believes that strong partnerships with parents and carers are key to enabling children to thrive. Daily communication through the tiney app and face-to-face meetings ensure parents are involved in their child's progress. Additionally, Faye invites parents to join in on special events or activities, such as celebrating Father's Day or making a Christmas ornament, further fostering a sense of community and collaboration.
A vision for confident, independent children
Above all, Faye's goal is to nurture happy, caring, confident, and independent children who are excited by new challenges and experiences. Her setting, Sweet Peas and Poppets, offers a unique environment where children are encouraged to explore, create, and grow in a space that values their individuality and supports their development in a holistic way.
Faye’s journey from teaching to childminding may have been daunting, but it has allowed her to create a truly special place for the children in her care—one where nature, independence, and joy are at the heart of everything she does.
Has Faye’s story inspired you? Book a call with an advisor and find out more about how you could start your childminding journey with us.
